Unless you live under a rock you know the Trump/Musk Euro issues which got me started on this post - and then it went downhill. (Hard to believe - but true.) It also had be examining my decisions on not becoming a US citizen - but first … beyond the Ukraine and Europe …
Over in The Far East.
🔗 The New World Order Is Here, And America Isn’t Part Of It
The foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea gathered for the first time since 2023, posed for ceremonial photographs, and drafted plans for an Asian future where American preferences no longer command deference.
The collapse of American influence isn’t happening because the U.S. military is weaker or its economy smaller. It’s happening because trust in American judgment, consistency, and commitment has plummeted.
And in Global Intelligence
someone much more knowledgeable than me …
PS 5 March, 2025. A further sign of trouble in the Five Eyes' alliance was a long report just noticed in the Financial Times_ on 25 February that Peter Navarro, one of Trump’s closest advisers, was urging him to expel Canada from the membership, although even Steve Bannon is reported to have said that this was a bad idea.
Right then!
I have long been asked given how long I have lived in the USA - why I never became a US citizen. “Because I never wanted to become a US citizen”, was my usual reply. I am English. (Just in case you are new to this blog - I am being very specific. English - which politically and by my passport means that I am British - but how long is that going to last? So, just declaring my side.)
But you can keep your British citizenship an and become American - dual citizenship.
And my reply has always been that I find it intellectually challenging to swear allegiance to two countries. (OK - strictly speaking I never swore allegiance to The United Kingdom - I just am.), but were I to have become American …
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
(My bold)
I know - it’s ‘just words’. But to me - words mean something. That is why I am and remain British - until it goes to hell and a hand-basket - at which point - I am with the English.
Back to the USA ..
The principles embodied in the Oath are codified in Section 337(a) in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which provides that all applicants shall take an oath that incorporates the substance of ….
(Which includes these words - again my bold)
Renounce and abjure** absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any** foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or citizen;
Pretty clear - which gets ignored when everything is sweetness and roses. But it isn’t any more. Which got me to wondering first about 🔗 John Oliver to pick one famous random name, but really more about people like Mike Myers, Drake, Neil Young, Justin Bieber, Will Arnett, Michael J Fox … well, here’s a 🔗 more complete list as Trump threatens Canada with war.
